Frances B. Howell

Funeral services celebrating the life of Mrs. Frances B. Howell, 94, of West Monroe, LA will be held at 1:30 P.M. Thursday, October 8, 2020, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe, LA with Rev. Jon Tellifero, Rev. Lamar Oliver, and Dr. Woods Watson officiating. Interment will be in Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery in Monroe, LA.

Mrs. Howell died October 5, 2020, at her residence after a brief illness.

Frances was born February 5, 1926, to Joseph Baruchman and Bertha Alperin Baruchman in Memphis, TN, the youngest of 6 children. Her mother died when she was 10 leaving her to be reared by her older sister Bea and the family of her friend. Having been born into a Jewish family, Frances was especially proud of her conversion to Christianity and her baptism at age 15 at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis.

Frances graduated from Humes High School in Memphis in 1945 and attended Memphis State studying secretarial science. She married Harry Howell in 1948 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. While Harry served in the Korean conflict, Frances resided with his family in Mississippi. Marrying into a Deep South Mississippi Methodist family Frances became a lifelong, dedicated Methodist to the various churches Harry’s banking career took them.

Frances was a loving wife and mother who found great joy in making a home for Harry and their children, Hut and Brenda in Tunica, Mississippi and later Tallulah, Louisiana. In 1966 she and Harry moved to West Monroe, Louisiana where she resided until her death.

Frances was a member for over 50 years of the First United Methodist Church in West Monroe, LA, where she was a member of the Fellowship Sunday School class. She was an avid bridge player in the Twin Cities until the recent quarantine. Frances traveled the world with the love of her life, Harry, during their 48 year marriage. She continued those adventures traveling with her daughter, Brenda to every continent except Africa and Antarctica. Their trips included casinos from Monte Carlo and Barcelona to Las Vegas. Frances, “Granny” adored her grandchildren, loved all babies and furry pets. Granny’s life in the last 25 years was considerably richer from the companionship, love and devotion of her daughter, Brenda, who dedicated her time and resources to ensuring that she indeed would have a wonderful life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Robert Howell; her parents; five brothers and sisters.

Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Hutson Robert and Carlene Howell; Daughter, Brenda Maggie Howell; Grandchildren, Katherine High (Brian), Jenny Jones (Tommy) Bess Freyvogel (Michael), Harrison Howell (Eleanor); Great Grandchildren, Carson Jones, Avery Jones, Emery Jones, Henry High, Katie High, and Augustin Freyvogel.

Pallbearers are Carson Jones, Tommy Jones, Henry High, Brian High, Michael Freyvogel, Norman Howell, Robin Sarraille, and Blake Oden. Honorary Pallbearers are Dan Riley, James Howell, Doug Caldwell, Dale Placke, Steve Vaughn, and Larry Vaughn.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at Mulhearn Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in West Monroe, LA

Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com